Fire-resisting cabinet construction



i ilwT g' i Jan. 3, 1950 J. H. PAGE 2,493,690

FIRE-RESISTING CABINET CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 8, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 llllllllllla SEARCH new.

Jan. 3, 1950' J. H. PAGE 2,493,690

FIRE-RES ISTING CABINET CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 8, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 5O INVENTOR.

28 7 4 1711 yovuf /fwa Patented Jan. 3, 1950 Application November 8, 1946, Serial No. 708,616

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in the construction of fire-resisting cabinets or safes of the kind having a metal shell and an inner liner of molded insulation, and the methods of constructing the same.

One method heretofore used for constructing such cabinets is to make the inner shell first without its rear metal panel, then laying the shell on its front face, applying theusual forms, pouring the insulation into the shell through the top or rear panel opening, and then assembling the rear panel by fastening it to the adjoining panels by screws or similar fastening devices.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved construction and meth d of assembly wherein the rear closure panel may be applied quickly without screws or similar fastening devices and yet becomes an integral part of the completed cabinet and contributes more effectively to the strength and rigidity of the whole.

A further object is to provide a rear closure panel of the character above mentioned, having marginal flanges which closely interfit with the marginal flanges of the proximate metal sheets to produce a finished exterior appearance when the parts are assembled.

Other objects and advantages will appear from time to time as the following descriptions proceed.

The invention may best be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cabinet constructed in accordance with my invention, showing the cabinet in normal upright position.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary bottom view of a rear panel which forms a part of the cabinet structure.

Figure 3 is an enlarged longitudinal section of the cabinet during the process of its manufacture, wherein the front face of the cabinet is disposed downwardly, and molding forms are applied to the metal shell for pouring the plaster insulating liner therein, and also showing the method of applying the rear panel thereto while the insulation is still in a plastic state.

Figure 4 is a transverse section of the cabinet in the process of construction, as shown in Figure 3, but with the rear panel in fully applied position.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary end view of the rear panel shown in Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of one corner of the rear panel before it has been applied to the cabinet.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of one corner of the completed cabinet showing the manner in which the rear panel is finally assembled with respect to the side wall and one end wall of the cabinet.

Figure 7a is'a view similar to Figure 7, but showing the corner at the opposite end wall of the cabinet.

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary detail section taken'on line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 9 is an enlarged view in elevation of the cabinet, with parts broken away, shown during the process of its manufacture, as shown in Figure 3, but illustrating a modified form of rear panel and method of applying the same to the rear face of the cabinet.

Figure '10 is a longitudinal section, drawn to a somewhat smaller scale than Figure 9, showing another modified form of rear panel and method of applying the same to the cabinet.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of the modified form and method illustrated in Figure 10, showing the rear panel in fully assembled position on the cabinet.

Referring now to details of the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the drawings, the

finished cabinet shown in Figure 1, consists essentially of a metallic shell including side walls H, bottom wall l2, top wall I3, and rear wall It. These walls are provided with an insulating liner formed of plaster, which is poured into the shell while the latter is held in suitable molding forms, such as indicated in Figure 3, wherein the top and bottom walls l2 and I3 are supported by suitable end forms l5, l5, and the side walls H, H, are similarly supported by upright side forms I 6, l6, while the insulation is being poured. These side and end form members preferably terminate below the top edges of the side and end plates of the cabinet. As shown herein, the cabinet may also be provided with a plurality of inter-' mediate horizontal partitions l8, I8, which are formed in the same molding operation by providing a plurality of rectangular molds l1, l1, suitably disposed within the cabinet mold and spaced from each other and from the outer walls, as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

In the shell structure disclosed herein, the top and bottom walls I2 and 13 are formed independently of the side walls II, II, and comprise substantially similar sheet metal panels, each having similar marginal flanged portions IS, IS, along opposite sides of the cabinet, which overlap and are suitably secured to the exterior proximate margins of the side panels H, H, as by welding. Each of the top and bottom panels l2 and I3 also have flanges 20 and 2I, respectively, formed along their rear edges, and spaced slightly above the adjacent rear edges of said side plates II, II, a distance of approximately the thickness of the rear panel I4, to permit the latter to be inserted under said rear flanges, as will hereinafter more fully appear.

As will be seen in Figures 3 and 4, the metal shell of the cabinet, with its flanged top and bottom panels I2 and I3 secured to the side walls I I, II, as above described, are placed in the forms I5 and I6, with the open side of the cabinet facing downwardly, so that the top and bottom walls I2 and I3 become, in effect, end walls of the mold. The insulation is poured into the mold thus formed through the open top of the metal shell which is later to be closed by the rear panel I4 shown in detail in Figure 2.

The rear panel I4 consists of a flat metal sheet, with integral right angle flanges 25, 25, formed along the sides thereof, and with shorter downwardly and inwardly inclined flanges 26, 21, formed at the opposite ends thereof. A pair of reinforcing strips 28, 28, are fastened to the under face of the rear panel I4 in spaced relation to the flanges 25, 25. Each of said reinforcing strips consists of a base flange 28a, which is permanently secured to the under surface of the rear panel It as by welding, a web portion 29 at right angles to said base flanges positioned parallel to the adjacent outer flange 25 of the rear panel, and is then bent at an inwardly inclined angle to form a portion 30, which has a series of slots or openings 3i, 3|, formed therealong, as shown in detail in Figures 2 and 6. Each of the web portions 29 and the reinforcing strips are spaced from their respectively adjacent side flanges 25 a distance sufficient to accommodate the side wall II of the cabinet in close fitting engagement therebetween.

The rear panel I4, constructed as above described, is applied to the open rear face of the shell while the plaster is still wet and in a plastic state by first inserting the end of the panel which carries the flange 26 beneath the rear flanged edge of the bottom plate I2, as shown in Figure 3. Corner portions of the rear panel I4 at the ends of the flange 26 are cut away at 35 as shown in Figure 2, so as to permit the ends of the side flanges at one end of the rear panel to abut the proximate side flanges I9, I9, of the end plate I2, and limit the amount which the extended end portion of the rear panel, with its flange 25, can be inserted beneath the flange 20 of said end plate. The rear panel I4 is then bodily swung downwardly so as to embed the reinforcing strips 28 within the body of the insulation material while the latter is still in a plastic state, and forcing the under surface of the anel I4 into engagement with the upper surface of the insulation throughout the entire outer area of the latter.

As will be seen from Figures 2 and 3, the end of the rear panel I4, carrying flange 21, which is last swung into place, is formed in a slightly difierent manner from the opposite end of the panel, that is to say, the adjacent side flanges 25 of the panel extend the full length of the latter, and substantially flush with the end flange 21. The arrangement is such that when the rear panel I4 is swung into final position, as above described, the ends of said side flanges 25 will fit snugly in abutting relation with the side flanges I9 of the end plate I3, as shown in Figure 7, and the outer surface of the panel I4 will assume a cal position substantially in alignment with, but slightly below the proximate rear flange 2I of the end plate I3 to enclose the entire face of the insulating liner at the rear of the cabinet.

From the above description of the method of assembly of the rear anel, it will be understood that as soon as the insulating material becomes set, the rear panel I 4 will be securely held in place by the reinforcing strips 28 and the end flanges 25, 21. The inwardly inclined portions 30, 30, of the reinforcing strips, with their slot openings 3|, 3|, are particularly effective for anchoring side margins of the rear panel in place throughout its length, thereby rendering it unnecessary to provide any additional fastening means, such as screws, bolts, or the like, to hold the rear panel in place. At the same time, the reinforcing strips 28 become an integral part of the cabinet to contribute to the strength and rigidity of the latter, particularly along the rear corners thereof, as indicated in the sectional views, Figures 4 and 8.

In the modified form of rear panel illustrated in Figure 9, it will be observed that the side flanges 25 of the rear panel I4 are cut away a short distance at each end of said panel. With this form of panel, one end thereof can first be inserted beneath the adjacent rear flanges of either of the end plates, as, for instance, beneath flange 20 of end plate I2, as indicated at A in Figure 9, a distance suflicient to permit the opposite end of the panel to be moved downwardly into position to be inserted beneath the flange 2I of the opposite end plate I 3, as indicated at A2 in Figure 9. The entire rear panel I4 may then be slid longitudinally until the end of both side panels 25 are moved into abutting engagement with the side flanges I9 of end plate I3. In this position, both ends of the panel will be retained beneath their respective rear flanges 20 and 2|, as indicated at BI and B2 in Figure 9, leaving only a slight inconspicuous gap between the opposite ends of side flanges 25, and the adjacent side flange I9 of end plate I2, as indicated at C, Figure 9.

In a modified form of rear panel shown in Figures 10 and 11, it will be observed that the panel I4 is made of two aligned sections Ma, Ma separated transversely approximately at the center thereof. These sections have a plurality of relatively short strips or fingers 49, 4|, attached in alternate staggered relation beneath the meeting ends thereof, and projecting toward each other at an inclined angle, so as to interfit loosely with each other, and permit relatively free hinged movement of the two panel sections.

The arrangement is such that the outer ends of the two panel sections lea, Isa, may be tially inserted beneath the overhanging flanges 20 and 2| of the end plates I2 and I3, while the insulation material is still in a plastic condition, with the said panel sections disposed at an obtuse angle to each other, as shown in Figure 10. The two sections may then be pressed downwardly so as to move the outer ends of the panel beneath their respective flanges 2B and 2! until the two sections are brought into mutual alignment with each other, as shown in Figure 11. The inclined strips 45 and M are finall embedded in the insulating material to hold the panel sections Ma, Na, in place along their meeting edges. It will also be observed that the side flanges of the rear panel sections I 4a are arranged so that their outer ends are brought into abutting relation with the proximate side flanges I9, I9, of both end plates l2 and I3 when the rear plate is in fully assembled position.

Although I have shown and described certain embodiments and methods for practicing my invention, I do not wish to be limited to the exact constructions and methods as shown and described, but that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a fire-resisting cabinet structure, a sheet metal shell including two pairs of opposed panels defining a rear wall opening of said cabinet, one of said pairs of panels having inwardly extending marginal flanges, a molded monolithic insulation for said panels and closing said rear opening, and a metal panel overlying said rear wall insulation having an end portion thereof inserted beneath the marginal flange of a proximate panel, and also having a pair of marginal flanges along its sides fitting over the edges of the other pair of proximate panels, and continuous reinforcing strips fixed to the under face of said overlying rear panel adjacent its marginal flanges and permanently imbedded in the proximate insulation to secure said overlying rear panel to said cabinet structure. "9'

2. In a fire-resisting cabinet structure, a sheet metal shell including two pairs of opposed panels defining a rear wall opening of said cabinet, one of said pairs of panels having inwardly extending marginal flanges, a molded monolithic insulation for said panels and closing said rear opening, and a metal panel overlying said rear wall insulation having an end portion thereof inserted beneath the marginal flange of a proximate panel, and also having a pair of marginal flanges along its sides fitting over the edges of the other pair of proximate panels, continuous reinforcing strips fixed to the under face of said overlying rear panel adjacent its marginal flanges and permanently imbedded in the proximate insulation to secure said overlying rear panel to said cabinet structure and with the ends of the side marginal flanges at one end of said overlying rear panel in abutting relation with the marginal flanges of the proximate first-named panels.

3. In a fire-resisting cabinet structure, a sheet metal shell including a pair of end panels and a pair of side panels defining a rear wall opening of said cabinet, said end panels having inwardly extending marginal flanges, a molded monolithic insulation for said panels and said rectangular face, and a metal panel overlying said rear wall insulation having a pair of opposed side flanges fitting closely over the edges of said side panels, and having the ends of said side flanges cut away to permit the adjacent end portion of said overlying rear panel to be inserted beneath the flange of the proximate end panel, with said ends of said side flanges in abutting relation with the edges of the marginal flanges of said end panel, and continuous reinforcing strips fixed to the under face of said overlying rear panel adjacent its side flanges and permanently imbedded in the proximate insulation to secure said overlying rear panel to said cabinet structure.

JOHN H. PAGE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 907,710 Aebi Dec. 29, 1908 1,807,948 Wolters June 2, 1931 1,916,752 Carlson July 4, 1933 1,937,931 Wolters Dec. 5, 1933 2,232,004 Hunter Feb. 18, 1941 2,253,564 Jones Aug. 26, 1941 

